Work is under way creating the foundations for the platforms that will support the sweeping wave-like roof of the Aquatics Centre, with over 100 concrete piles already drilled up to 25m into the ground. Nearly 3000 tonnes of soil per day is currently being excavated from the areas of the two 50m swimming pools and diving pools and 1500 tonnes of recycled demolition material from the Olympic Park site is being laid daily to form the piling platforms for the pool foundations.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'We are on track to deliver an Aquatics Centre that forms a fantastic ‘gateway to the Games’ and in legacy new community and elite swimming and diving facilities that London currently lacks. This site has been one of the most challenging areas of the Olympic Park to prepare for construction. It was ready early and the Aquatics Centre build started two months ahead of schedule.

'Work is now well under way on the Aquatic Centre as the Big Build picks up steam across the Olympic Park. It won’t be long until people start to see more of the structures emerging that will form the world class venues for the London 2012 Games and legacy.'

In July this year construction started two months early on the Aquatics Centre. Piling is set to complete in Spring 2009. The roof construction begins later this year when structures will start to come out of the ground. The 160m long and 95m high steel roof frame will begin installation next year.

Aquatics Centre key facts:
Notes to editors:
The new images of the Aquatics Centre site are available for download. 

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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700.

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog.

• The Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre is located in the south of the Olympic Park and will be the main ‘Gateway into the Games’, hosting Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo finals and the swimming discipline of the Modern Pentathlon.
• The Aquatics Centre will have a capacity of 17,500 during the Games, reducing to a maximum of 2,500 in legacy, with the ability to add 1000 for major events, and provide two 50m swimming pools, a diving pool and dry diving area - facilities that London does not have at present.
• Eleven industrial buildings have been demolished on the 55,000 square metre site.
• Around 130,000 tonnes of soil have been dug out on of what was one of the more challenging and complex areas of the Olympic Park contaminated with pollutants including petrol, oil, tar, solvents and heavy metals such as arsenic and lead.
• Four skeletons were discovered and removed from a prehistoric settlement discovered on the site of the Aquatic Centre.
• 140,000 tonnes of clean soil has been brought from other areas of the Olympic Park to prepare for construction to start.
• Planning permission has been achieved and Balfour Beatty has been appointed to build the Aquatics Centre and huge land-bridge that forms the roof of the training pool and the main pedestrian access to the Olympic Park. Construction work will be complete in 2011 for test events ahead of the Games.
• The sweeping roof, which is 160m long and 95m at its widest point, is an innovative 2800 tonne steel structure with a striking and robust aluminium covering.